Equine Therapy in the Treatment of Female Eating Disorder

Abstract

**Please note that the full text is embargoed** ABSTRACT: The article describes the preconditions and develops the hypothesis concerning the Equine therapy (EQT) is commonly used in the treatment of eating disorder (ED) inpatients, yet studies of its efficacy are lacking. This treatment outcome study therefore compares the efficacy of a standardized inpatient treatment protocol to standard treatment plus EQT among ED subjects. The sample include 72 women ED inpatients between ages 18 and 49, diagnosed with anorexia and bulimia nervosa and eating disorder not otherwise specified. We assesse specific ED and common co-occurring symptoms hypothesized in the literature as amenable to treatment with EQT, including drive for thinness, impaired self-efficacy, interpersonal distrust, impulse dysregulation, depressed mood, and anxiety. Multiple regression analyses controlling for initial symptom severity and quantity of standardized treatment received find that the amount of time patients engaged in EQT in addition to standardized treatment produces statistically significant and clinically meaningful reductions in the six ED symptoms measured. We summarize hypotheses regarding the therapeutic mechanisms that may account for these significant effects of EQT. The incremental value of EQT in addition to standardized inpatient ED treatment in reducing critical ED symptoms may warrant additional investigation into EQT with this patient population.